His long blonde hair had dirtied during the collapse and dust coated his face. His eyes, originally the holy violet passed down in his lineage, had sunken into a pale gray. It was an indication of power lost, a tell that his life was nearing its end. He continued downwards his spiral staircase, but he knew it was for naught. He had spent himself in the prior battle, casting aside his own life to rid the world of an encroaching darkness for as long as he could. He had hopes that it would thwart this evil permanently, but he knew better. It would return eventually, so his lineage must live on. It was a curse of sorts, but should his lineage end, there would be none strong enough across the lands to fight back this darkness.
He had thoughts of his son, and his wife. Of his friends and his cousins, with whom he'd spend the summers, playing pretend of good versus evil. Funnily enough, he was always tasked to play the part of the villain - a part not even remotely close in reality to the person he was. He thought of his sons first steps, and how exuberant he was as a parent, partaking in the simple joys of parenting. He couldn't help but crack a smile, maintaining his positivity even as the tower began to grumble and shake around him. He thought of his sons violet eyes, and what it would mean for him as he grew into a man. He thought about the fate he had cursed another living being to, one of his own creation, and wondered if it was fair or just to bring another life into the world with such a condition. He had felt as if there was no choice, if his family wasn't there to hold back the tides of darkness, then upon who must this behemoth of a task fall? There was no other choice but the selfish one. He must continue his lineage as his father and his fathers father did before him, always with the goal of driving away evil from the lands.
A large piece of rubble flew down towards him, slamming into his shoulder and knocking him off his stride and down a few steps until he caught himself against the ivory railing. Lifting himself up, he continued his descent, albeit with a limp and now an arm which did not seem to comply. He had slowed considerably, stopping occasionally to caught what appeared to be a mixture of blood and dust he had inhaled. His body was failing him, and as the tower shook again, he staggered and fell against the railing again, sliding down, leaving a trail of blood on the wall as he rested with one leg out stretched, and the other bent to the step below. He looked up and watched as brick and rubble fell from above, letting in light from the sun outside to shine upon him, as he felt the world around him seemed to tilt.
With one final act left in him, he unsheathed his sword from its jewel-adorned scabbard, and placed it in his lap. Chanting a few prayers, he slowly grazed his hand across its blade. Blood dripped from his lips as he looked up and into the light, letting another smile come across his face, this time accepting what was soon to be. He did his part, and the legends would remember him. He didn't care for the legends though, he had only caught to do what was right. To serve justice, and to defend those friends and family he held so dear. His life's work accomplished, he tilt his head back, and closed his eyes.
All around him the tower fell. It tilted and collapsed to its side, landing upon many homes, and knocking other structures down around it, including smaller ranger towers and strategic defensive bases. Most had been evacuated, but those too stubborn, or to proud to run from home, had stayed. Their homes too, would soon find themselves flattened and amongst the rubble.
The Great Tower of Anuhime had fallen, and with it, the legendary warrior and king of Tiris, Savos the Grand, had perished. His legend would live on, the one of the great king who slew a mighty beast of darkness, and saved all the lands of the realm and ushering forth am age of prosperity.
Until the beast would again awaken.
